Pastor Troy Face Off CD

Parental Advisory

Personnel includes: Pastor Troy, Nature Boy, Co-Ed, Peter The Disciple.
Producers include: Gene Griffin, Paul Wright, Pastor Troy, Carl Mo, Carlos Thornton.
Atlanta-based rapper Pastor Troy is probably best known for his long-standing feud with rapper Master P. While Master P went on to sell millions, Pastor Troy became a favorite of underground hip-hop fans. Face Off features several songs that were previously released on his independent albums. Most of the songs, such as "Rhonda" and "Eternal Yard Dash," feature lyrics drenched with thug imagery that, while familiar, still has an impact on the listener. Troy's lyrical flow is powerful and offsets the often lackluster production. Despite the fact that many of the tracks are up to two years old, the weight of Pastor Troy's voice and lyrics make them still sound fresh. ~ Jon Azpiri
Pastor Troy's a cappella introduction to FACE OFF may trace its roots back to rap's precursors in the jailhouse rhymes of the early 20th century, but it doesn't take long to figure out that this denizen of the Dirty South could care less about the past. Micah LeVar Troy is the real deal, as is made obvious over the course of this successor to 2000's PASTOR TROY AND THE CONGREGATION. He's a cracked mirror, reflecting his life and times--dirty, druggy, down with his ni**az and with very little else.
The backing is street-sparse, the rhymes simple, but Troy's imagery in a claustrophobic succession of raps such as the grinding "Move to Mars," an indictment of contemporary society, is painful, grainy, and undeniable. But lest all this in-your-face reality get too much too bear, he relaxes into the slow groove of "Can You Stand the Game," a smart take on the Bell Biv Devoe cut "Can You Stand the Rain."

Rolling Stone (6/7/01, p.110) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...He's an unhinged wheezer of an MC...screaming to startling effect on dope-game tales....But in keeping with his moniker, Troy's mind sometimes drifts to thoughts of repentance..."